Apparatus for launching flying-machines.



J. MEANS.

APPARATUS FOR LAUNOHING FLYING MACHINES.

APPLIOAT ION FILED AUG. 25, 1908.

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"APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1908.

Patented May 25', 1909.

2 sums-sunni- 2.

'W PH W WITHEEEE= I JAMES MEANS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING FLYING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 25, 1908.

Patented May 25, 1909.

Serial No. 450,172.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES MEANs, a citi: zen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of i Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Launching Flying-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for launching flying machines.

In a flying machine of the aeroplane type a certain high initial velocity in the direction opposite to that of soaring, and this velocity which varies according to conditions is best imparted to the thereof.

machine by means extraneous thereto so that the weight of the machine may be a minimum.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and efficient apparatus for launching flying machines where y any desired initial velocity may be imparted to the machine to be launched in a direction toward any point of the compass.

With this object in view my invention consists in a table, preferably rotatable, and fluid-pressure-controlled means whereby the desired initial velocit may be imparted either directly to the ying machine or to a truck or other device carrying the same. The particular fluid pressure controlled mechanism which I prefer to employ consists in a cylinder connected with an air or other gas compressor whereby such air or other gas compressed to any desired degree may act upon a piston operatively connected directly or indirectly with the flying machine but it will be understood that I do not limit myself specifically to the particular fluid-pressurecontrolled mechanism hereinafter descrlbed.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification Figure 1 is a central section of one embodiment of my invention and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

In that embodiment of my invention selected for illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings, 1 represents stable of suitable dimensions rotatablyzmounted b the axle 2 in the journal 3 and supporte preferably through the intepposition of ballearings or. other suitable notion-reduc ng devices on the standard 4. Mounted on said table by the columns-6 is a latform provided with rails or other suita le guidewa s 7 which serve to guide the truck or sle 7 the wind is desirable for which may be maintained on said guideways in any suitable manner as for example by the downwardly extending side pieces 7. The said truck may be provided with cleats 9 or other suitable means for restraining the flying machine 8 from motion relative to said truck in any direction other than that of the 1 intended flight.

A cylinder 13 which may be supported on the table 1 by the columns 16 is rovided with a piston 14, preferably a doubl e piston, and said piston is operatively connected with the truck 7 by means of the piston rod 11 which cooperates with said truck by means of the post which is secured to the bottom Inasmuch as the iston rod is subject to tensional stress on it is apparent that it may be a light flexible rod of small diameter. A suitable stuffing box 14 may be provided for the rear end of the cylinder and the forward end thereof may be open as shown at 17. v

For the purpose of actuating the iston and impartmg an initial velocity to t e flying machine sup introduce into t 1e cylinderin front of said piston any suitable gas such as air, steam, carbon dioxid or any other as or mixture of gases under the desired hig pressure. For this purpose the pipe 24 provided with a valve 24 may-be used to connect the pressure reservoir 23 with the cylinder 13 as shown. Various means may be used for storing in said reservoir gas under high pressure, and in that embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings 19 repreorted by the truck, I maysents a motor connected with a compressor 21 by the pump rod 20, and said compressor is connected by the pipe 22 which 1s provided with the valve 34 with the reservoir. For the purpose of reducing the weight carried by the table mechanism not supported by the latter such as the windmill 39 may be em )oyed to charge the reservoir 23 with gas un er pressure, and in such-case a flexible pipe connection 36 may be used to connect the compressor operated by said Windmill with the reservoir 23. The pipe connectin said flexible connection may be provide with a valve 35.

The operation is as follows: The flying machine to be launched is laced as lndicated in Fig. 1 in the truck when the latter is in the position shown and thegas from the I where p portab1 ity in part arising from the fact that any deslred rate by manipulating the valve 24. The piston is thus shot forward at a high velocity and its motion is arrested at the end of its stroke by the buffer or other cushioning device 18. Theforward movement of the iston effects the corresponding movement of the truck, the motion of which is arrested by the buffer or other cushioning device 12, whereupon the flying machine is shot forward and enters upon free flight at any desired velocity.

It will be understood that the initial velocity of the truck will be relatively low and then will rapidly increase to a maximum, and accordingly the operator by suitably manipulating the valve 24' will a ply the compressed gas to the piston gra ually at first and finally by opening the valve to a greater extent will bring the truck to maxi mum s eed. Preferably the valve will be closed y the operator before the piston reaches the end of its travel.

' It will be understood that if steam is emloyed, the device 23 may represent a steam Boiler supported by the table, although the steam may be generated in a boiler not .mounted on the table and introduced to a reservoir or else directly to the cylinder 13 by a flexible pi e connection.

,One of the a vantages of my invention lies in its suitability to those military operations ortability must be considered, this the cumulative eflect of a comparatively small motor-actuated or wind-actuated airpump maybe stored in the reservoir 23 between launchings. As an adjunct to the ap aratus above described I may employ t e semaphore or other signaling device 31 arranged to be operated to indicate when the reservoir 23 has been chargedsuflicientlyto permit launchmg. This semaphore may be operated electrically by the magnet 28 energized by the battery 27 when the contact at 26 is closed by the safety valve 25 which may be set to operate at a predetermined pressure. The

energization of the magnet 28 will attract the armature 29 and rotate the semaphore 31 which is connected with said armature by the rod 30.

It will be understood that many modifications may be made in the apparatus shown in the drawings and hereinbcfore described without departing from the spirit of my in-' vention. I c:l[aim;' f l h l. 11 an apparatus or aunc in ii machines, the combination, with a t abl j i mechanism operated by gas under pressure for im arting forward motion to the machine to be launched. g

2.;In an-apparat us for launching machines, the combination, with a table, of mechanism operated by gas under, pressure 4. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, with a revoluble table, of mechanism operated by gas under ressure for imparting a variable initial veocity to the machine to be launched;

5. In an apparatus for launchin flying machines, the combination, with a ta le, of a cylinder containing a piston, means for introducing compressed gas intosaid cylinder to operate said piston and means whereby the motion of said piston may be communicated to the machine to be launched.

6. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, with a revoluble table, of a cylinder containing apiston, means for introducing compressed gas into the said cylinder to operate said piston and means whereby the motion ofsaid piston maybe communicated to the machine to be launched.

7. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, with a table, of

a truck adapted to carry the machine to be launched, means for reventing relative movement between said machine and said truck except in the direction of intended flight, and mechanism 0 erated by gas under pressure for moving sai truck in said direction.

8. In an apparatus for launchin' flying machines, the combination with a ta le, of a truck adapted to carry the machine to be launched, means for imparting forward motion to said truck, and means for suddenly arresting said motion.

9. In an apparatus for launching flying machines, the combination, a truck adapted to carry the machine to be launched, means for imparting forward motion to said truck, and for arresting said motion.

10. In an apparatus for launching flying with a table, of

machines, the combination with a table, of a cylinder containing a piston, means for introducing compressed gas into said cylinder to operate said piston, means controlling the introduction of said gas into said cylinder, and means whereby the motion of said piston may be communicated to the machine to be launchplrll.

11. an ap aratus. for launchin fl machines, the c%mbination,with a t abliiz ig a cylinder containing a piston, means for inv troducing compressed gasinto said cylinder,- means operatively connecting said piston with the machine to be launched and means for regulating the velocity of said piston during the launching operation.

12. In an apparatus for launching flying 13c pressor,

' machines,

.- machines, the combination,

fluid-pressure-controlled mechanism for immachines, the combination, with a table, of a cylinder containing a piston, a gas commeans for actuating said compressor, means connecting said compressor with said cylinder and means operatively connecting said piston with the machine to belaunclied.

13. In an apparatus'for launching flying the combination, with a table, of a gas com ressor, means converting the energy of t e gas compressed therein into the energy of motion and means for imparting said motion to the machine to be launched.

14. In an apparatus for launching flying with a table, of

arting forward motion to the machine to be aunched and a signaling device constructed and arranged to be actuated by said mechanism at a predetermined pressure of said fluid. I .f 1 b1 fl 15. 11 an a aratus or aunc 'n machines, the l dmbination, with a tiblzj b r' fiuid-pressure-controlled mechanism for imarti'ng forward motion to the machine to be aunched, a si naling device, open circuit inc uding a source of electrical energy and an electro magnet, and means controlled by said' mechanism for said circuit to operate said signaling In testimony whereof, I ave ereunto subscribed my name this 24th day of Aug, 1908.

JAMES MEANS.

Witnesses:

PATRICK J. Connor, Gno. K. Woonwonrn.

a normally closing device. 

